Policy & Advocacy Adviser, Global Reform

About Bond

Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. We unite and support a diverse network of over 300 civil society organisations to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice. We strengthen and champion the sector to make international development more efficient and effective. We work to influence governments and policy-makers, develop the skills of people in the sector, share expertise, and build organisational capacity and partnerships.

About the role

£47,205 

Fixed term (until 31 March 2028) 

Bond’s new strategy has decolonising development at the heart of it, this role will be key to delivering the sector’s aspirations on influencing the UK Government to become more locally led and shift power and resources to communities in Global Majority countries so that they are in the driving seat. There are some upcoming opportunities with the UK Government to push our agenda to re-shape the international development system so that it is more equitable.  

Over the next 18 months a key focus of Bond will be supporting UK and global civil society to engage with the G20 process led by the UK Government, which provides an opportunity to make the case for reforming the global economic system. The Group of 20 (G20) most advanced economies meet annually to discuss key issues that are important for global economic stability and progress, including policy areas vital to Global Majority countries, such as debt, illicit financial flows and tax. In 2027 the UK holds the Presidency of the G20, providing it with an important opportunity to lead global efforts to secure commitments and reform actions in these vital areas and key to re-shaping the system so that it is more equitable. This role will work across Bond, with our Sector Transformation Team who are delivering on our locally led agenda and alongside our Policy, Advocacy and Research team, and the G20 and Global Reforms Policy Manager on G20. 

The ideal person for this role will be dynamic and proactive. You will be a confident networker, facilitator and convener, with experience of developing impactful policy messaging and advocacy outputs, who can bring people together to deliver change. You are able to work independently, take initiative and make appropriate decisions. You will bring a strong knowledge of locally led policy debates, proven experience of engaging with the UK government and inclusive policy processes.  

Main purpose of the job

The purpose of this role is to influence the UK Government and other international actors on locally-led policy change, and to support the convening and external engagement of civil society on the UK G20 in 2027. Across these areas of work this role will also help to promote Bond’s engagement with global civil society. 

In this role you will: 

• Influence the UK Government on locally led development and how they partner with global civil society.
• Support the convening and external engagement of UK civil society around key issues being discussed through the UK’s G20 in 2027.
• Engage with global civil society to ensure that their voices are at the heart of our policy positions and to facilitate their engagement with Bond’s work on the G20 in 2027.
• Represent Bond in external meetings with key stakeholders. 

Day in the Life

A day in a life of this role will be varied, given the breadth of the responsibilities.  In the morning you join the weekly internal advocacy call where we all share our influencing opportunities and updates on planned activities and discuss what we need to do to prepare for key moments (e.g. policy announcements or parliamentary discussions) over the coming week.  In the afternoon you begin planning for a joint online event with an external stakeholder based in a Global Majority country as part of some joint influencing that you have planned.  It involves a call with partners to finalise the objectives of the event, the agenda and brief the speakers.   While on this call, colleagues in the Media and Communications team get in contact and tell you that they need some lines for a quote to the media as the Minister for Development has unexpectedly made a speech that focuses on the UK Governments’ locally led development agenda. This needs to be turned around quickly so you do it first, before finalising the agenda for the event. You finish the day having made some progress on the joint event but with more still to do. 

Main responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of policy and advocacy outputs on locally-led development, such as briefings for parliamentarians, briefings, consultation, submissions and joint letters.   
• Support the Policy Advocacy and Research team to engage on reforms to aid and development cooperation that promote locally-led development, through supporting background research and policy development, attending meetings with policy-makers and MPs, and organising meetings to convene members and others.
• Support Bond to engage on key commitments and reforms to being addressed by the UK’s G20 in 2027 through organising meetings and events to convene members and global civil society partners, organising meetings and supporting communication with policy-makers and parliamentarians, supporting member communication and facilitating collaboration with key partners 
• Support Bond members and other stakeholders to centre global majority voices in their policy and advocacy by designing and developing inclusive policy consultation processes.

Person Specification

Essential

• Track record in delivering impactful, evidence-based policy messaging and advocacy outputs as part of broader advocacy strategies in international development context.
• Knowledge of key decolonising development and locally led policy issues and debates. 
• Supported or involved in  designing inclusive engagement processes with a diverse range of stakeholders based in Global Majority and Global Minority countries
• Practical experience of working for or with civil society organisations.  
• Proven experience of working independently, managing competing deadlines and demands effectively.
• Experience in direct engagement with government departments , officials and parliamentarians, and understanding of how to influence decision-making processes in the UK. 
• Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced external policy and political environment, ability to spot and take opportunities, act on initiative and undertake quick policy work.
• Experience with organising online and in-person events/meetings and supporting calendar management
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to work with a diverse range of actors at different levels.

Desirable

• Experience of membership-based organisations such as networks and coalitions, ideally within the charity/NGO sector. 
• Experience of convening and facilitating online or in-person meetings with a wide range of stakeholders. 

Benefits

Bond offers a competitive salary and benefits package including: 

• 27 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays, with additional staff privilege days, normally between Christmas and New Year 
• 7% pension contributions (staff pay 3.5%)   
• Flexible working hours (Hybrid working – 1 day, minimum in the office per month) 
• Staff Development days 
• Perk Box access 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• WeCare (Health and wellbeing services, including access to 24/7 online GP services, second medical opinion, mental health support such as counselling, guidance from health professionals, burnout prevention, life event counselling, get fit programmes, nutritionist advice, etc. – for staff and immediate family) 
• Interest free season ticket loan 

How to Apply

To apply submit your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for this role by midnight 25th October.